Lockheed Martin trusts Machina robots to assemble rocket parts
English translation from Unibot. Source published 2026-07-17.
Contract for the production of parts for JASSM
Machina Labs has received a qualification contract from Lockheed Martin to support the JASSM - Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile program. This is the first time a part created using RoboForming technology has reached the qualification stage for a US defense missile system.
“The defense industry is being forced to scale up faster than traditional production methods allow,” said Edward Mehr, co-founder and CEO of Machina. - Rocket programs do not depend on design, but on production. Our factory was created to remove this limitation: we form and assemble complex metal structures directly from a digital drawing, reducing time significantly.”
Mehr recently appeared on The Robot Report podcast where he discussed the company's growth and evolution. He noted that Machina is ideal for working with defense customers.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to support a critical weapons system for the United States and its allies,” said John Borrego, President of Machina Bellator. “This selection underscores how important advanced and flexible manufacturing technologies are for strengthening defense capabilities and quickly delivering products.”
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How robots shape metal
In 2023, the company received the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its innovative use of industrial robots: they forge metal into precise shapes. Robots process complex parts made from exotic materials such as titanium.
Machina work cells consist of two industrial robots located on opposite sides of a vertical sheet of raw materials. By acting in concert on both sides of the material, they shape the part - like a blacksmith. The latest version of the cells has the ability to drill holes, as well as cut and engrave with a laser.
Unlike a stamping line, which is expensive to build and set up, a Machina cell can produce quality parts in batches of one. The company notes that this solution is suitable for small-scale production or parts with short lead times.
New factory for defense orders only
Machina does not sell its metal forming cells. The company operates as a contract manufacturer, meeting the needs of customers. To do this, a new facility is opening - Machina Factory 3, which will exclusively serve Lockheed Martin and other defense contractors.
The contract will be carried out at Factory 3, the company's first large smart factory, which is currently under construction. The area of the facility is 200,000 sq. ft (18,580.6 sq. m.). It will house up to 50 RoboCraftsman cells capable of producing critical metal structures for defense programs, including JASSM, at high speed.
By combining forming, machining, welding and assembly under one roof, Machina promises to reduce production cycles from months to days.
“Lockheed Martin Ventures invested in Machina for its combination of speed, flexibility and scalability,” said Chris Moran, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures. “Our teams worked closely to move key capabilities into production. Machina's work increases capacity, reduces risk and helps deliver mission-critical systems at scale. Congratulations to Machina on this milestone - it strengthens America's innovative and resilient defense industrial base."